In true island fashion, San Pedro ushered in the New Year with a grand party. Ready to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016, hundreds of island residents and visitors congregated at Central Park on Thursday, December 31st as early as 10PM for the big countdown. The yearly extravaganza organized by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) keeps getting bigger and better every year, and this year’s celebrations were without a doubt the best one yet. With live music, lots to eat and drink, and a spectacular fireworks display, everyone had the time of their lives.
Activities for the countdown started shortly after 10PM with musical performances by Kategory 5 Band from the Cayo District. Their upbeat rhythms had everyone dancing as they awaited the big countdown.
As midnight drew near, the official ceremonies begun with a heartfelt invocation by Pastor Clive Welsh. Master of Ceremonies, Eiden Salazar then called Mayor Daniel Guerrero to the podium to deliver his New Year Address.
Guerrero welcomed all those in attendance and highlighted some of the achievements by the SPTC in 2015. “It is a great honor for us at the SPTC to close off the old year and welcome a new year together as a community. Community togetherness makes us different from other parts of the country. When we take a look back at the year, I must acknowledge that 2015 was indeed a year full of much activities, unexpected events, the loss of outstanding citizens and ground breaking achievements. All these events, whether wanted or unwanted, good or bad, has taught us to be stronger individuals and a more binding community,” said Guerrero. He went on to announce that 2016 will see the completion of the pavement of the Northern Ambergris Caye road, complete pavement of Southern Ambergris Caye and the transformation of the Sunset Boardwalk area into a bustling tourism market. “Our wish for the New Year is to work together as a community to achieve even more for our residents. May 2016 bring even more prosperity for our residents and visitors to the island as well as the rest of the country.”
Next to speak was Area Representative and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. who kept his address very short. “It is indeed a pleasure to address everyone at this event, because 2015 was a year of prosperity for this island. 2016 is supposed to be a year of unity, coming together, forgiving what we have done wrong and trying to see what we can do better. On behalf of the Government of Belize, I wish everyone a happy new year 2016 and hope that the good Lord will bless us all and guide us to a new beginning,” said Heredia.
The scheduled addresses finished just in time for the big countdown. As everyone rang in the New Year, a spectacular fireworks show illuminated the skies. Adding to the excitement, The Cut Creator DJ Outkast straight out of St. Maarten took to the stage bringing his Caribbean beats. Everyone danced their way straight into the wee hours of first day of 2016.
SPTC would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who came out to the New Year Eve Countdown. Special thanks goes out to Eiden Salazar, Pastor Clive Welsh, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Kategory 5 Band, DJ Outcast, Brad Hemmings, Miss San Pedro 2015-2016 Iris Salguero, Efrain Guerrero, San Pedro Town Council workmen and Skynet Soundz/Mauricio Mejia.
